BERNICE WOODS

Feb 5

Happy Wednesday, Golden Divas!

What a way to kick off BLACK HISTORY MONTH with someone I think ‘YOU SHOULD KNOW’ this Golden Diva baking skills are going to be LEGENDARY! She is a self-taught ‘PASTRY CHEF’ who is serving up some sweets for VALENTINE’S DAY! Since this is a love and a very affectionate holiday, ladies, I’m sure you will probably receive some lovely gifts, jewelry, clothes, maybe a spectacular trip, or some beautiful flowers. However, there is nothing like satisfying your ‘SWEET TOOTH’ beyond the typical box of chocolate candy. Don’t get me wrong I love me some ‘CHOCOLATE CANDY’ like the next diva, but what if there was another type of gift to express your love this holiday? Club Fifty knows what this particular gift can do for your satiable sweet tooth appetite and your soul because it is made from love, and it can ignite some passion. It also can satisfy your sweet tooth fix without breaking your ‘SWEET TOOTH BANK.’

Let’s take the gift of Valentine’s Day giving, and your taste buds up a notch to the next level of pure satisfaction with ‘NIECY’S PIECES: SWEET TREATS!” The lady behind the sweet name is A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH in the kitchen, and she is baking up a storm to get you in the Valentine mood with cakes, pies, and cupcakes customized to your liking. Golden Divas, I had the pleasure of meeting this young lady who is turning the baking world upside down with her many baking creations. Let me give you a little backstory on how our paths crossed, my husband rides the Metra train with her, and he always kept on bragging about her BAKING SKILLS; this, of course, got me curious, because so many people claim that they can bake and they can’t. I’m just saying! Now, I’M NO BAKING GURU; however, I do know when something tastes good. You have to know how to throw down to get my attention. You see, Rick’s opinion was alright, but I had to sample some of her desserts for myself.

Who was this lady that was satisfying his sweet tooth? Why haven’t I tasted any of her so-called delicious treats yet?

Ladies, Rick surprised me with one of her customer favorites: ‘THE LEMON POUND CAKE’ (this started the dessert craze) and I must admit I was pleasantly surprised. This young lady does have some BONAFIDE baking skills. I’m sure she never has to brag on herself because everybody else is doing it for her!! That LPC was the BOMBED!!! Last night on our radio show (Let’s Stay Together Talk), we had some of her cupcakes, and again I must say her baking is going to be LEGENDARY!! I gulped down two of those bad fellas (lemon and red velvet with the quickness), and I’m a very slow eater. Golden Divas I would like to introduce to you the woman (who has stolen my dessert heart) behind the mixing bowl and the beautiful customized creations who is whipping up some ‘BAKING LOVE’ this Valentine’s Day and beyond … BERNICE WOODS! My mouth is watering now just thinking about those cupcakes. No joke! If you’re looking for some great tasting treats for Valentine’s Day, Bernice is your girl!

MEET BERNICE WOODS

My name is Bernice Woods, and I am 47 years old. I WAS BORN AND RAISED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF CHICAGO (I have to pay homage I’m a southside girl too born, and raised) and currently reside in the south suburbs with my husband Chuck, and we have one son, Gideon, who is 24 years old. For the past 16 years, I have worked for a major financial institution, currently in commercial banking. In my free time, I am part of a birthday club with nine beautiful women, and we get together to celebrate each birthday with gifts, good eats, a great time, and millions of laughs. We also travel with each other and go on WEEKEND GETAWAYS. I enjoy reading and a good glass of WINE. I absolutely love to ride my motorcycle and getting ‘WIND THERAPY.’ My all-time favorite hobby is spending time in the kitchen. I love to cook and barbeque, but BAKING is my true passion and gift. Ladies, we don’t have to travel around the world to look for some sweet treats our girl Bernice has us covered right here. Before you read this month Golden Diva Interview let me take you back to the 80s with the instrumental version of ‘Sweet Dreams’ by Eurythmics. Sweet Treats and Sweet Dreams Divas!

IN CONVERSATION WITH BERNICE WOODS

C50: Bernice, why baking, and have you ever considered opening up your bakery?

BW: Baking brings me joy. No matter how long my day maybe, once I get in the kitchen, I Zen out, GET IN MY ZONE and find peace and comfort. I love baking and creating desserts that people enjoy. I am considering expanding out of my home because the demand for my desserts is picking up, which means more space and definitely some help.

C50: How long have you been baking?

BW: I have been baking since I was a little girl with my Dad. He was a genius in the kitchen and was well known for his banana pudding and oatmeal cookies with pecans and raisins. After he passed away, I didn’t bake much. I got back into baking when my husband asked me to make his favorite dessert SWEET POTATO PIE. When he said it was the BEST he had, I realized how much I missed baking and that I loved it. In the last three years, orders have really picked up, and I add more and more desserts.

C50: Do you customize cakes, cupcakes, and do you make pies?

BW: I have customized cakes, but mostly, I CUSTOMIZE CUPCAKES. Cupcakes are easier for most people when it comes to serving, so cupcakes are one of my most requested. I make sweet potato pies. I made an egg custard pie by request this past Thanksgiving, and a friend of mine has recently asked me to make a pecan pie soon.

C50: What are your specialties?

BW: LEMON POUND CAKE is the dessert that started it all for me. That is my first specialty and a favorite among all. Bread pudding with bourbon sauce, cheesecake bites (strawberry, Oreo, turtle, raspberry, and key lime) and maple bacon cupcakes are my other popular specialties.

C50: Share with us some of your favorite desserts you like to make?

BW: My favorite is my BREAD PUDDING WITH ICE CREAM AND BOURBON SAUCE. I also love my sweet potato pie and oatmeal cookies with white chocolate chips. Not only do I like to eat them, but they are also my favorite items to bake. There is something about the smell of those items baking that genuinely makes me smile.

C50: What goes into baking these delicious desserts?

BW: BAKING TAKES A TON OF PATIENCE AND IT IS TIME-CONSUMING. Although baking is a joy for me, and I love being in the kitchen, it can be overwhelming sometimes because I am very particular. I envision every dessert, so I plan everything in advance. Consistent taste and presentation are of the utmost importance. My desserts are a true extension of me, and my love for baking and delivering a subpar dessert is unacceptable.

C50: Have you ever developed or improved a recipe, and if so, which one?

BW: Most of my recipes are improved. My friends and family are always sending me recipes or placing orders for desserts I have never baked. They have a ton of faith in me and push me to think outside the box and get out of my comfort zone. I am self-taught and realized one of my gifts is to alter recipes for better results. My lemon pound cake, maple bacon cupcakes, and brown butter bourbon pecan chocolate chunk cookies are some examples.

C50: Do you like seasonal baking?

BW: I like seasonal baking. I am extremely busy at THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS Thanksgiving, I make quite a bit of sweet potato pies, pound cakes, and bread puddings and Christmas I mostly make pound cakes, bread pudding, and cheesecakes. Afterward, I am in awe of how many desserts I cranked out! I am also busy at prom season and get a rush for COLLEGE TRUNK PARTIES as well.

C50: Describe your most challenging baking project. How did you overcome it?

BW: Because I am self-taught, any request for something that I have not done before is challenging, especially anything with fondant. (ladies for those of you who don’t know what fondant is, it an icing used to decorate or sculpt cakes and pastries). My most challenging baking project was my first sheet cake, which was HOT WHEELS themed. I did a lot of research, took my time, starting prepping early, and went for it. It turned out great, and I was extremely proud of myself.

C50: Do you get a lot of questions in regards to baking?

BW: I have gotten a couple of questions on technique and what went wrong. I don’t mind giving input. Most of the time, customers just tell me that they want me to bake it. I HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN ASKED TO TEACH A CLASS FOR KIDS.

BONUS QUESTION

C50: Bernice, how can people get some of your sweet treats, and what are the prices?

Follow me on Instagram niecys.pieces
Email: Niecyspieces@yahoo.com
Cell Phone: (708) 953-1796
Working on my website.
Current prices (subject to change)
Sweet potato pie $10
Basic cupcakes $15 per dozen (liquor-infused, specialty flavored or custom cupcakes extra)
Lemon Pound Cake $30
Plain Pound Cake $25
Mini pound cake (6 inches) $10
Bread Pudding w/ either vanilla sauce or bourbon sauce 13×9 pan $25 8×8 pan $15
Cheesecake bites $15 per dozen (minimum order two dozen required)
Plain whole cheesecake $25
Specialty Cheesecake (Strawberry, raspberry, turtle, Oreo) $30

C50: Golden Divas there you have it! Niecy’s Pieces is serving delicious mouthwatering desserts year-round. Don’t forget to place your order for Valentine’s Day!

Brenda McCain